Dwyer

[pittpete]

Anyone know why he's constantly asking to come out of the game?

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Willie Colon eats Mexican for his pre game meal?......I wondered the same thing last night. He had two nice gains in a row and was them motioning to come out....I'm yelling 'stay the f_ck in there and keep pounding'......

[feltdizz]

Anyone know why he's constantly asking to come out of the game?

He sets the bar pretty low for himself. The guy ALWAYS looks to the sidelines...

[fezziwig]

They were asking the same question on the fan today and I haven't heard a legit answer.

[flippy]

Anyone know why he's constantly asking to come out of the game?

Poor Conditioning and Low Pain Threshold.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Anyone know why he's constantly asking to come out of the game?
He's a puss. A talented puss, but a puss nonetheless.



Just kidding. I like the way he runs. No puss would be getting the yards after contact that he does.

[feltdizz]

He's a puss. A talented puss, but a puss nonetheless.



Just kidding. I like the way he runs. No puss would be getting the yards after contact that he does.

I don't think him getting yards after contact has anything to do with his mental make up.

[Oviedo]

Instead of ripping Dwyer might we consider that he is coming off an injury and the coaching staff instructed him if he feels something to take a breather because they have depth at RB. I know it is easier for internet "he men" to question the courage and heart of Dwyer but we have no idea what he has been told to do, do we?

[hawaiiansteel]

Dwyer was our best RB last night, maybe he should improve his conditioning a bit but when you are a big back and run as hard as he does perhaps you need a breather every so often.

would you guys rather have Dwyer stay in the game if he feels winded?

[flippy]

Dwyer was our best RB last night, maybe he should improve his conditioning a bit but when you are a big back and run as hard as he does perhaps you need a breather every so often.

would you guys rather have Dwyer stay in the game if he feels winded?

As Tomlin always says....run him til the wheels fall off.

[lloydroid]

First of all, I wanted to start a separate thread: Proof in the pudding. JD is our best back. Mendy looked as bad as ever, with his dancing, spinning, etc. Redman, per also my prediction, got hurt quickly. There is no doubt JD is our best back WHEN HE ACTUALLY WANTS TO PLAY THAT IS, which usually lasts for 2 runs before he wants out of the game. He just isn't the most driven guy; he will never see a big $ contract on that basis. Can you imagine how unmotivated he would be if he signed contract with a $10 million signing bonus? I definitely think we need another back for next year; RM needs shipped out, IR is only a few carries a game type of back, obviously Rainey is not a mainstream back and never will be, Batch is very so so and that leaves us with one back who can be a 100-yard a game guy, and that guy is lazy. So, we must add a new back for 2013.

[Oviedo]

First of all, I wanted to start a separate thread: Proof in the pudding. JD is our best back. Mendy looked as bad as ever, with his dancing, spinning, etc. Redman, per also my prediction, got hurt quickly. There is no doubt JD is our best back WHEN HE ACTUALLY WANTS TO PLAY THAT IS, which usually lasts for 2 runs before he wants out of the game. He just isn't the most driven guy; he will never see a big $ contract on that basis. Can you imagine how unmotivated he would be if he signed contract with a $10 million signing bonus? I definitely think we need another back for next year; RM needs shipped out, IR is only a few carries a game type of back, obviously Rainey is not a mainstream back and never will be, Batch is very so so and that leaves us with one back who can be a 100-yard a game guy, and that guy is lazy. So, we must add a new back for 2013.

While I completely disagree about getting rid of Mendy, I do agree we need to draft another RB next year. mendenhall is probably no better than 70-80% coming off major surgery and the achilles. A full off season and coming back into Haley's offense healthy he would be very good. Plus he will be cheap to resign.

Redman would be odd man out for me. As many of us predicted he wouldn't be able to be a top back because the injuries would inevitably come.

[SidSmythe]

I wasn't as concerned with him coming out as much as how long he was out. A few times in running situations I wanted him back in there but he wasn't.

[lloydroid]

While I completely disagree about getting rid of Mendy, I do agree we need to draft another RB next year. mendenhall is probably no better than 70-80% coming off major surgery and the achilles. A full off season and coming back into Haley's offense healthy he would be very good. Plus he will be cheap to resign.

Redman would be odd man out for me. As many of us predicted he wouldn't be able to be a top back because the injuries would inevitably come.

If RM came cheap, I wouldn't be completely against it, but only as long as the team doesn't try to make him the starter and the back who gets 80% of the carries. He isn't good enough for that. The team should seek an upgrade at that position, or split it with JD and a young, hungry stud back. Kniles Davis anyone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8Suk_YFD1g

[Eddie Spaghetti]

wish we would have seen JD on that 3rd and 2 late in the 3rd on the ravens goal line. We were really pushing them around at that point.

I thought this was haleys worst game as a playcaller.

[hawaiiansteel]

I thought this was haleys worst game as a playcaller.

the Ravens' DC completely out-coached and was one step ahead of Haley all game long after our first drive.

[Eddie Spaghetti]

agreed.

really disappointed in 2 of those 3 plays where the game was on the line.

[lloydroid]

agreed.

really disappointed in 2 of those 3 plays where the game was on the line.

And we all knew it was. When they called such crap plays we all knew we were unlikely to get so far down the field after that drive. We lost the game right there.

[RuthlessBurgher]

As many of us predicted he wouldn't be able to be a top back because the injuries would inevitably come.

As if Dwyer and Mendenhall are the pictures of health.

The fact remains that Redman has played in 8 of 10 games with 5 starts, Dwyer has played in 7 of 10 games with 2 starts, and Mendenhall has played in 3 games with 3 starts.

If you don't think Redman is as talented as the other guys, that's one thing...but to keep playing the "Redman's running style gets him injured" card...well, he's no more injured than any of our other backs this season.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

As Tomlin always says....run him til the wheels fall off.

Speaking of which, was that FWP on the field during pre-game ceremonies last night? What exactly was the celebration for?

[NorthCoast]

As if Dwyer and Mendenhall are the pictures of health.

The fact remains that Redman has played in 8 of 10 games with 5 starts, Dwyer has played in 7 of 10 games with 2 starts, and Mendenhall has played in 3 games with 3 starts.

If you don't think Redman is as talented as the other guys, that's one thing...but to keep playing the "Redman's running style gets him injured" card...well, he's no more injured than any of our other backs this season.

The current crop of RBs are generally sucky. Can't stay healthy, have flaws in their game, and none of them has stepped up to grab a prime opportunity to be a starting franchise RB.

[fordfixer]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/steelers/2012/11/18/rashard-mendenhall-return/1712399/?dlvrit=449762
Steelers' running game turns back to Rashard Mendenhall
Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY


2:27PM EST November 18. 2012 - PITTSBURGH — Rashard Mendenhall has jumped right back to the front of the rotation in the Pittsburgh Steelers backfield after missing a month with a left Achilles tendon injury.


He has reclaimed his starting role for Sunday night's critical AFC North showdown against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field.


"I feel pretty good," Mendenhall told USA TODAY Sports following a full week of practice. "No setbacks."


His return is a shot in the arm for the Steelers, who will be without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder, ribs), receiver-returner Antonio Brown (ankle) and safety Troy Polamalu (calf).




PHOTOS: NFL's most polarizing players through the years


And it sends a strong message about coach Mike Tomlin's confidence level in the fifth-year pro, given Mendenhall apparently won't be eased into the role. Tomlin confirmed Mendenhall's status during an interview with the team's website.


Without Mendenhall, the Steelers' rushing attack thrived with a stable of backs. In October matchups against the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Redskins, Jonathan Dwyer became the first Steelers back since Willie Parker in 2008 to post back-to-back 100-yard games. Then Isaac Redman gained a career-high 147 yards against the New York Giants.


"It's a good thing for our team to continue to win and to see our running game doing well," Mendenhall said.


While NFL starters rarely lose their job to injury, the emergence of Mendenhall's replacements provides options.


Mendenhall insisted Friday he was never concerned about his spot on the depth chart.


"I don't get into allof that," he said.


Mendenhall missed the first three games of the season as he recovered from a torn right anterior cruciate ligament, then played one full game before injuring the Achilles at Tennessee on Oct. 11. He had rushed 19 times for 74 yards, averaging 3.9 yards a carry.


He told USA TODAY Sports he thought the Achilles became susceptible to injury as he overcompensated while trying to regain full strength in his surgically repaired knee.


With Mendenhall's comeback, the other backs will not be suddenly pushed into the corner. Expect offensive coordinator Todd Haley to share the workload, based on need, circumstance and performance.


If Mendenhall were the coordinator, how would he split up the carries?


"Good thing I'm not the offensive coordinator," he said. "We'll see how he divides it up."


To the men up front, the more, the merrier.


Left tackle Max Starks says the blocking schemes won't change, regardless of runner.


"I think the biggest thing is that it gives the defense a different look," Starks told USA TODAY Sports. "As long as we block and provide the holes where they are supposed to be, anybody can run back there."

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Mendenhall sucks. You can find better backs from the 5th round on. Time for Colbert to go and Rooney to tell Tomlin to stay the hell out of personnel decisions.

[Chadman]

Mendenhall sucks. You can find better backs from the 5th round on. Time for Colbert to go and Rooney to tell Tomlin to stay the hell out of personnel decisions.

Pretty harsh statement Mr P. Mendy is the square peg for the Steelers round hole though- more of a slashing runner that would likely benefit from a Shanahan run scheme than behind the Steelers bohemoths on the OL who's starting position is generally assured by the more "X's" they have on the lapel inside the collar of their shirt.

The Steelers OL is a smash mouth OL, designed for power running. Dwyer & Redman will benefit most from these guys, while Mendy will flit around looking for holes to open up.

When the Steelers drafted Mendy, Chadman always got the feeling he wasn't the #1 target, but his value was simply too good to pass up. There is no doubt in Chadman's mind that Mendy is the most talented RB on the roster. He just doesn't necessarily fit the steelers persona.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Pretty harsh statement Mr P. Mendy is the square peg for the Steelers round hole though- more of a slashing runner that would likely benefit from a Shanahan run scheme than behind the Steelers bohemoths on the OL who's starting position is generally assured by the more "X's" they have on the lapel inside the collar of their shirt.

The Steelers OL is a smash mouth OL, designed for power running. Dwyer & Redman will benefit most from these guys, while Mendy will flit around looking for holes to open up.

When the Steelers drafted Mendy, Chadman always got the feeling he wasn't the #1 target, but his value was simply too good to pass up. There is no doubt in Chadman's mind that Mendy is the most talented RB on the roster. He just doesn't necessarily fit the steelers persona.

He may have the speed, hands, etc. you find in other number one runners...but what he lacks is a set of balls to pick a hole and go and he goes down on first contact 95% of the time. Throw in his knack for injury and it is my belief you can find guys like him in the later rounds. The only thing surprising to me is that the injury bug didn't get him in Illinois.

I personally wanted Ray Rice that year....and would still take him easily over Mendenhall.